As we get older, the things we used to be able to do with ease, without even really thinking about them, become more of a challenge. You might have noticed this with your own parents as they have aged; perhaps their mobility has reduced, or they can no longer carry out everyday tasks quite as easily as they once did.
When this happens, your first instinct as their child will be to help them. However, there are a number of options when it comes to this help, and it will depend on you, your parents, and exactly what situation you are all in, so each decision must be made carefully. Here are some of the options that might be open to you:
Speak to Family and Friends
If your parents are able to manage fairly well in their own home, then there may not be any need for them to move. However, giving them some extra support by visiting more often or by enlisting the help of family and friends to check in on them from time to time is a great idea. Your parents will be able to keep their independence for as long as possible, and they can still rely on help if they need it.
You might meet up with them once a week to help with their grocery shopping, for example, or perhaps a neighbor could go in to clean the house on a regular basis. Whatever tasks are no longer possible or are becoming more difficult, having someone to assist with them will be a great help.
Consider an Assisted Living Community
If your parents need help but you are unable to offer it, and there is no one you can ask to help out either, then an assisted living community can be a wonderful option. Of course, you’ll need to speak to your parents about moving to one since it must be their choice, and you’ll want to carry out plenty of research before deciding where to go, but it can be the ideal choice once you find an assisted living community that will give your parents what they need.
According to Brightview assisted living in Baltimore County, some of the most common reasons for choosing a senior living community are access to assistance and safety/security. If this is a major concern for you and your parents, it makes sense to look into this option.
Move in Together
In some cases, moving in with your parents, or having them move in with you if that makes more sense, can be exactly what is required. You will be able to help them at all times, and they can have as much independence as they need until such time as it’s no longer possible.
Of course, this will involve a lot of upheavals, and it’s not going to work for everyone
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